Judge Who Let Kids Languish Should Be Gone Soon

Judge E. Curtissa Cofield's fitness to serve on the Superior Court bench is in doubt.

The judge faces her second serious disciplinary proceeding in four years. This latest is more serious than her previous drunkenness and ranting incident in Glastonbury: The 10 children impacted by her inaction are more vulnerable than the police she insulted.

In the first proceeding, in 2009, the state's Judicial Review Council unanimously found that Judge Cofield violated the code of judicial conduct by trying to intimidate Glastonbury police, using disparaging and racially inappropriate language against officers, and driving while drunk. The council suspended her for 240 days without pay, the longest suspension in some 20 years. She was then transferred from adult criminal court to New Britain juvenile court.

This has proved to be even more problematic.

The state Department of Children and Families, headed by former Supreme Court Justice Joette Katz, had to go to court to compel Judge Cofield to act on child protection cases she let languish for three times longer than allowed — including adoptions for children removed from their parents.

Judge Cofield, who is up for reappointment next year, also ignored requests from Attorney General George Jepsen to act on the cases.

The Judicial Review Council has found probable cause to believe Judge Cofield violated state laws and the code of judicial conduct. She failed to act in a timely manner and "neglectfully and incompetently" performed the duties of a judge, the council said. A public hearing on the allegations will be held next week.

If the review council confirms its initial findings, there is no justification for Judge Cofield's remaining on the bench.